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36 Comments on AtoZ M Freedom in Music

A beautiful quote by Krishnamurti about a higher love and so higher freedom. Beautiful quote from David about freedom in music, so the needed balance between freedom and structure. I hope I learn to love music as my hearing transforms. Right now, I have the find sound beautiful because I live in a place where I hear the music of birds. To live close to nature is one of my most cherished freedoms.

I liked J D Krishnamurthy’s quote on freedom and love! Also the last quote of camilla – I would love to be the mistress of my time:) I Keep trying to love unconditionally and also try to be the mistress of my time. Thanks for inspiring.

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”
~ Victor Hugo (author of the novel, Les Miserables)

Susan ~I think you’re onto something in making the connection between freedom and music. For me though, I might replace the word “rule” with “reality”.

The idea of creating (or thinking) *within* a limited set of rules seems like a contradiction in terms, especially when the rules keep changing and are selectively interpreted/misinterpreted, used, broken and/or ignored by those in power.

Or maybe that’s the paradox. It reminds me of hexagram 47 in the IChing, which talks about oppression, either real or imagined. One of my favorite interpretations of this hex uses the image of an isolated tree which continues to grow and flourish within a tight space enclosed between a confining set of high walls as a way to convey the idea of maintaining our inner freedom under oppressive circumstances.

T.S. Eliot said “You are the music while the music lasts.”

Reminds me Chelsea Manning and how she was imprisoned, kept in solitary confinement and tortured for revealing the truth. Yet even when released, she continued to speak out and now is imprisoned once again for refusing to comply. Same with Julian Assange, who’s also had to endure confinement and isolation and who now will likely face even worse. Yet they and many others continue to speak and to be the music which inspires and shapes us.

Thanks LB for your expansive comment. I was reading your comment and before I got to your mentioning ‘paradox’ I was thinking ‘paradox’- it is a valuable tool in our daily living to be able to see ‘paradox’ –

Reality may well be a better word – I hope my son comes by and sees this.

I had a quick look online at hexagram 47; it’s very expressive. Thank you for your elaboration of it. I’m glad I looked it up.

Your Victor Hugo and T.S. Eliot quotes are lovely – again, thank you.

Those who speak truth to power are courageous indeed. They face great hurdles every step of the way in helping us to see the reality of much that is very disturbing.

Thanks, Susan. Like I said, I appreciated the connection you made between music and freedom. It got me thinking about what music symbolizes and also, what it means to live and be our music, to march to the beat of our own drum. I used to dance. And sometimes when I danced, I felt as if I was speaking the sacred language of God. My dance and relationship with the music became like a prayer. I think certain music affects us that way, whether we dance or not.

I remember listening to Andre Previn conduct the LSO in London many years ago, on the south bank I think .. and remember sinking into such a deep space. It was an extraordinary experience – thanks for jogging my memory! Yes, music can do that. I also used to dance … 🙂

I had the thought recently that one of the reasons I speak and write as expansively as I do, is that I’ve been trying to communicate the same feelings of joy, sadness, passion and urgency I was once able to share so effortlessly and wordlessly through dance.

Do I remember my years training as a ballerina? I do sometimes – believe it or not I was offered a place at the Royal School of Ballet in London – I was living near Cape Town at the time – Dulcie Howes (goodness – that I now remember her name -) urged me – but it was not to be.

This is an excellent observation. The rules and structure is partly what frustrates me about playing music–or more precisely, my lack of dedication to practice in order to master the principles necessary to play well.

Listening to music can be such a freeing experience. Nothing much better than being free on the open road with some great music playing.

I love all three of today’s quotes! Each is spot on, especially Camilla’s, to which I resonate deeply with, being a “mistress of my own time” working from home at hours that suit me! “To love is to not ask for anything in return …” well, there are no words with Krishnamurti’s exquisite quote and then David’s lyrical response, beautiful music for the soul. Love and light, Deborah.